**Click to enlarge..August 5, 2010 - With menthol coming under fire from federal regulators, Lorillard Inc. yesterday announced its plan to launch a non-menthol variety of its flagship Newport brand in November 2010. Lorillard said that it believes it will further strengthen its competitive position and its Newport brand family with the national introduction of Newport Non-Menthol.

Newport Non-Menthol will be a premium product with broad competitive consumer appeal that delivers the high quality tobacco taste that adult smokers have grown to expect from Newport, the company said. "We are excited to leverage Newport, one of the most recognized names in the cigarette industry," said Martin Orlowsky, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "With the introduction of Newport Non-Menthol, Lorillard will be afforded greater opportunity to compete in the largest segment of the U.S. cigarette market, as the non-menthol category represents approximately 70% of total industry volume."

** Non-menthol Newports in Full Flavor and Lights were sold in United States during the mid to late 1990s, possibly as late as 2002; however they have since been discontinued. The packs were identical in design to standard menthol Newports except the turquoise-colored area was red on the Full Flavors and mustard-yellow on the Lights. Newport Slim 120s (introduced 1998), Newport "Stripes", and Newport "M-Blend" were other varieties that have also been discontinued. (Newport Cigarettes Online Shop)